FOUR PAWS ON 5TH

Four Paws On 5th

by

Mike Fuller

Some come for the cars, imagine that, the biggest deal car show of the year. Over five hundred beautiful machines worth millions. Forty thousand people strolling along posh 5th Avenue in crisp February Naples air, dreaming and drooling over V-8’s, convertible tops and flawless paint. Quite a gathering of rich and not so rich rubbing elbows on the avenue. But the annual “Cars on 5th” show put on by The Ferrari Club of Naples, www.carsonfifth.com , is so much more than that. It is a whopping big charity event benefitting St. Matthews House, www.stmatthewshouse.org , an organization that distributes food and clothing, operates food pantries and homeless shelters and also substance abuse recovery programs. What a great way to spend a Saturday.

But the cars and the people were not alone. The show wasn’t just about the red Ferrari’s or even the, gasp, yellow ones. Not the Corvettes or flathead Fords or even those elegant ladies in expensive clothes and make up floating along trying not to look bored. There was another show that may not have been noticed by everyone but it happens every year and is just as much a part of the atmosphere as all the other hoopla.

Meet Abby…

And Grace…

Aren’t they sweeties? And happy to be with their people. Dogs, lots of them. Mixing in among all the legs and strollers. Weaving in and out and taking in all the smells, sights and sounds. All part of the show.

Take a stroll. Yes, you can look at all the pretty cars but don’t forget to look down now and then and see what is walking along with you. Meet the “Four Paws on 5th”…

Where’s the mountain? No snow on 5th

Lunch? Mumnumummun

Free ride Valentine scarf

Ceramic pee Terrier stare

Shorkie Doodle doo

Golden boy Sit, stand, heel

Fluffy! Diva

Happy Havanese Rest period’s over

Seen any elk? New haircut

Where’s the Morgan? C’est bon!

East or Westie Shia Tzu too

Cavalier Attitude Rescue me

Just a few, we didn’t find them all. Next year maybe we’ll report on the cats. Well, maybe not. Please support St. Matthews House with your generous donations:

My first “car” was a motorcycle. Rode mostly “woods” bikes but gave it up after my daughter was born. Too many near misses to push my luck. Took up sailplanes and then sailboats to eat up pocket money.

Only article I have ever read which mentions Ferraris, ‘vettes and “flat-heads” and then presents pics of dogs. Nice touch! I’m an ex Norton man from the 60’s but switched to Mountain bikes (pedal variety) here. Went over the front once too often so switched to Road bike (pedal variety). Perhaps I should stick with walking! 🙂

How would Ray handle 40,000 people? He wouldn’t! He would probably be jumping up at everybody in his best threatening manner …….. and would probably convince a lot of them that there’s someplace else they would rather be! If he survived the ordeal (given police presence), he would be a “basket case” after a few minutes. Of course we could muzzle him and keeping giving him treats, but then our 75lb bundle of joy would probable be over 100lbs when we left!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂

My little Annie rode in her carrier on my chest and served to draw the attention of the other dogs as I photographed them. She was a great ambassador and enjoyed all the attention she received from the crowd. Hardest part was getting back up after kneeling down to shoot the picture. This getting old sucks!

Prices of real estate in sunny Wrinkle Land are only going to go up. Now is the time to plan for your warm and fuzzy future. Oh, and be sure the pool is heated. 80 degree pool water is downright chilly.